So, you want to get some Crab Game action going on your Chromebook with your buddies. Or strangers.
Crab Game is the latest viral hit that went nuts on Twitch.
It’s based on the Netflix show Squid Game, which has had a roaring success.
Crab Game gets you your own slice of the action- for free. It’s a party indie game that’s available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and phones.
Full of chaos, anarchy, and some pretty crazy moments, this game will have you sitting on the edge for hours.
Let’s learn how you can install Crab Game on your Chromebook.
Before you jump into a game of Lava, please note, THIS IS A WORK-IN-PROGRESS. Don’t expect the game to run smoothly until the dev (Dani) improves the game.
What’s Crab Game?
The game made by Dani and built with Unity, Crab Game, is the new viral hit that’s been played by many popular streamers on Twitch.
It’s basically a battle royale full of minigames where you fight for the ultimate cash prize.
You can play online with friends in this all-out crazy game based on the popular Squid Game.
No dogecoin though.
Can I Play Crab Game on my Chromebook?
Yes, Crab Game can be installed on Chromebooks, but don’t expect it to be easy.
Before you dive into a round of Tag, you should know that not all CBs can run it.
Since it’s poorly optimized for its home system (Windows), it performs even worse on ChromeOS. Most people will get a crappy, laggy experience, so don’t get your hopes up.
While it’s technically possible, it’s not smooth.
If you have a powerful Chromebook with a decent CPU/RAM, you may be able to pull it off.
We’ll cover the system specs later.
Also, even if your Chromebook can run Crab Game, it still may crash due to other issues (server connections, glitches, FPS, etc.). This is largely a theory tutorial.
Will Chromebooks run Crab Game?
While it’s possible, it’ll probably run the game very poorly.
Expect lag, game crashing, or other technical issues as the game gets developed.
There are people who are playing Crab Game on their Chromebooks with no issue, as you can see here:
But just because a few people got it working doesn’t mean everyone can.
System requirements
Here are the system requirements for Crab Game.
At minimum, it requires the following:
- CPU: Intel Core i3 2.00 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- OS: Windows 7
- VIDEO CARD: Intel HD 520
- PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
- VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
- FREE DISK SPACE: 200 MB
On a Chromebook, the majority don’t meet the CPU, GPU, shader requirements. So this throws 99% of Chromebooks out the window already.
This is why the game runs so poorly, as it already does on Windows. Most Chromebooks are only equipped with a Celeron CPU. Only a few models have Core i3 or higher.
2GB RAM is met. 200MB disk space is met.
But everything else?
Nope. The GPU recommended by the developer is integrated, not dedicated.
While Chromebooks have an integrated GPU, it’s not nearly powerful enough to render gameplay fr most models.
This is why the game lags.
Looking at the recommended requirements, Chromebooks don’t even come close:
- CPU: Intel Core I5-4440 3.10 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- OS: Windows 10
- VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GeForce GTX 650
- PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
- VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
- FREE DISK SPACE: 200 MB
- DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 1024 MB
So yeah, don’t think that the gameplay will be a smooth 30FPS. Unless you’re one of the few with a Samsung Pro, you probably won’t get that buttery-smooth gameplay.
How to install Crab Game on Chromebook
Okay, so you’re ready to play some Red Light, Green Light on your Chromebook.
Here are the steps to download, install, and play Crab Game.
Please note that this is NOT going to work on all Chromebooks.
The game is poorly optimized at the time of this writing, so you should expect game crashes, freezing, poor performance, and other glitches.
I did include a section following these steps that you can try as an alternative if this doesn’t work for you.
OK, let’s get to the good part.
Here are the steps to install Crab Game on ChromeOS. Remember to not expect everything to run smoothly. The game will likely stutter or crash.
But over time, if the game gets improved, it should be compatible with more Chromebooks.
Even if you can’t get it working, there are other games you can play once you go through the steps. The idea is to use Linux instead of ChromeOS.
Once you have it installed, you can play a variety of other games that may pique your interest.
Let’s roll.
Make a backup
Create a backup of your important data because the next step will delete everything on your disk.
With Chromebooks, you can easily backup your files to Google Drive by dragging and dropping them into the file directory on the menu.
You can also use traditional methods of external storage like SD cards, USB drives, or external HDDs.
Whatever you choose, back up the things that you wanna keep because they’ll be wiped.
Enable Developer Mode
Update: This method is the older method. Dani released the game on Steam, so you can skip to the “Get Steam” part and install it like a normal game. If it doesn’t work, then use the legacy method.
You’ll need to switch Developer Mode on if you want to get Crab Game.
ChromeOS won’t let you do it by default because of the built-in security restrictions.
Enabling Dev Mode is basically “unlocking” your Chromebook to the world so you can do more with your device.
It may sound weird or scary, but it’s the only way you’ll be able to install the game.
At this time, there’s no browser-based version of Crab Game, so you just gotta deal with it. Sorry.
Pro tip: If you’re using a newer Chromebook, you may be able to turn on Linux without getting Developer Mode. Just follow these steps to get Linux Beta. It’s as simple as toggling an option in ChromeOS.
If you do this shortcut and Crab Game doesn’t work, try the traditional Crouton method since it has a higher chance of working. It’s like installing Linux lite or a full desktop version.
A note on school/work Chromebooks
Note that if you’re using a borrowed Chromebook from your school or work, it won’t work.
By default, the admins disable the ability to enter Developer Mode which basically means you’re stuck.
You can’t get Steam or Linux without Developer Mode if your device is enrolled into a managed network. The only way is to get permission from your school/work IT team.
If you bought your device and it’s currently enrolled into a network, it may have been sold to you without the previous owner unenrolling it from a managed device first.
You can’t reset the Chromebook owner unless you have access to the previous owner’s credentials.
Get a refund or get them to unregister it/reset it. Because without it, you’re stuck as well.
Please don’t try to sell it used to someone else. It just makes the problem worse.
Sometimes Chromebooks are sold without proper un-enrollment because they were lost or stolen or the previous owner just didn’t know how to reset a managed Chromebook.
Get Linux
Don’t worry. You can still use both ChromeOS and Linux at the same time.
You don’t lose the ability to use your Chromebook like you normally do.
So if you have a personal one for work, it’s OK.
Follow this guide to install Linux. Once you have it going, you should be able to dual boot into Ubuntu.
Install Crab Game
Go here and download the Linux.zip file. It must be for Linux and not any other OS or it won’t work.
You’re running Linux now, remember?
Build a new game directory for Crab Game. Name it “crab game” and put it on your desktop for easy access.
Drag and drop Linux.zip into it. Just right-click, then click on the new folder.
After Linux.zip is inside the Crab Game directory, unzip it. You may have a zipper built into your version of Linux, but it depends on your distro.
If you don’t have one, launch the Ubuntu Software Center > Search for “unzip” > Find one that looks decent > Install.
Then right-click the Linux.zip, unzip it, extract it in the same folder, then you’re good to go!
When it’s done unzipping, find the .exe file. It should be in the same location titled “CrabGameLinux.x86_64”. The name may change over time if the developer updated it- please let me know if so.
Next, find it then right-click. Set the execute file permission to be enabled. This will make it possible to actually run it.
You’re already halfway done. Cool, huh?
Next, download Steamworks. Get the latest version on download repo here.
Once again, create a new folder. Call it “Steamworks” or something. Drag the .zip into the new folder. Unzip it once again just like before!
Be patient while it unzips. It may take some time to do it.
When it’s done, find the file called “libsteawm_api.so” then drag it into the Crab Game folder under the CrabGameLinux_Data/Plugins folder, NOT the top-level directory.
Get Steam
You’ll also just be downloading and installing Crab Game on Steam. Getting Steam on your Chromebook is easy.
If you’re able to do that, then you simply install the game, launch it, and play it through your Steam library like usual.
The only thing is that you’ll need to go into the folder to adjust the code as outlined above. The game won’t work without making those changes.
Besides, even if Crab Game won’t run, you can still play OTHER Steam games like Garry’s Mod or Warframe.
So don’t get sad just because you can’t crab on, you can play other awesome titles!!
Get Steam. Install it to your Chromebook. Use this tutorial.
Launch it, let it update, then sign in with your Steam credentials. If it doesn’t update, be sure to check for one before you proceed.
Find Crab Game then install it if necessary. It should be required since it’s a new device. That’s it!
If you get an error that says “missing executable” make sure you check the “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibly tool” and pick “Linux Steam Runtime” to fix it.
If that doesn’t work, try the legacy method and then:
Run Crab Game by using the “CrabGameLinux.x86_64” file you created earlier. If it doesn’t run, double-check it’s set the right file type- the file should be .exe.
If you’re still stuck, use the official download page on Itch. Or ask on Reddit.
Optimize it
You can easily do some quick fixes to optimize Crab Game.
Get higher FPS, fix lag, game crashing, or disconnects by making some quick changes.
If you get stuck on the loading screen, turning off the overlay usually helps.
Here are some general tips to help increase FPS and kill lag:
Turn off Steam overlay
- Go to Crab Game > Properties > Steam Overlay
- Disable “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”
- This seems to cause crashing or freezing. So turning it off is good.
- Make sure that Crab Game is allowed through your local firewall
Modify native debugger
- Launch Steam
- Find Crab Game in your library
- Right-click > Manage > Browse Local Files
- Find the game_data file, the find “boot.txt”
- Press “CTRL + F” and find the line “wait-for-native-debugger”
- Change it to “1” so it reads: “wait-for-native-debugger=1”
Here’s a good video that shows the steps in detail:
Wait for dev updates
The developer is updating the game regularly from what it appears at the time of this writing.
If the game just doesn’t run, wait for updates. The next fix may optimize the game or make it run smoother overall.
Sure, it’s probably a lost cause, but what else can you do?
Perhaps post a comment in the community forum and let the dev know how badly you want this game to work on ChromeOS? Just don’t beg.
Other alternatives to play Crab Game you can try
If the above standard install didn’t work for you, there are still some other things you can try to get it running.
Given that Crab Game doesn’t run well on Linux because it’s not optimized (it’s still new), you shouldn’t expect a smooth FPS. It’s not even smooth on Windows.
So Chromebooks are obviously not going to run it well.
The game could be optimized in the future.
But for now, here are other ways to get some Crab Game going.
Try WINE
With WINE, you can emulate Windows games virtually through Linux. Download it from their official site.
Follow the instructions to install WINE, then see if that works for Crab Game.
Since you’re emulating, the game will be suffering from high latency. Input controls will be slow.
That’s common with these kinds of setups.
Try remote access from Windows PC
If you want to try something really hardcore, you can play Crab Game remotely from your Chromebook using your PC.
The game will be rendered on your PC, but you’ll access it from your Chromebook- anywhere in the world with Internet access.
Your PC does the heavy lifting by rendering the game, but your Chromebook acts like a display that you can use anywhere.
Set up remote access to your PC, then link them together.
Now, you can play Crab Game on your Chromebook as long as you have WiFi. School, work, at your buddy’s house, etc.
Expert some latency, but it SHOULD work since Crab Game is 100% compatible with PC.
Try Steam Proton
Proton lets you play Steam Games on Linux.
You may be able to use this to get around the whole Steam installation.
Check out Proton here. And here’s a tutorial for installing Proton on a Chromebook.
It’s as simple as hitting a toggle switch. You may have to play around with the Steam version, but otherwise, that’s it.
Try Play Store version
If you have a newer Chromebook that has the ability to run Play Store games, you MAY be able to get Crab War or King of Crabs.
While it’s not Crab Game, they’re fun alternatives t it.
Of course, it’ll be rendering a phone game made for touchscreens on your Chromebook, so it may not be optimal.
Check if you can install it from the Play Store. Depending on the developer and the model you have, it may be available for your device.
Other games you can play
Now that you have Linux installed, even if Crab Game failed, you can play these other games:
Now you can get some Crab Game going on Chromebook
Enjoy getting jumped on the DL with your Chromebook. Put on some headphones.
Turn out the lights. Up the volume. It’s the battle of the eons.
While some people are haters, you’re not. You’re here for the lulz, right?
Then jump into the ultimate round Crab Game with your buddies. On your Chromebook.
What do you think? Did you get it working? Let me know by posting a comment.
